Qantas flight successfully makes priority landing with 63 people on board
- Flight QF2079 made an priority landing in Mildura
- The flight had 63 people onboard
- READ MORE: Flight attendant exposes issue airlines refuse to fix
A Qantas flight has been forced to turn back to Mildura after suffering technical issues shortly after takeoff.
Sources said the plane had 'lost hydraulics on its wing flaps'.
The QF2079 flight from Mildura to Melbourne took off at about 10:40am on Tuesday with 63 people on board.
Soon after, the pilots realised something was wrong and made a plan to safely land the plane.
The pilots completed a series of circuits so the plane could dump fuel and lighten its load before executing a priority landing at Mildura.
'One of our aircraft had to return to Mildura shortly after take-off on Tuesday due to a technical issue,' Qantas said.
'Our pilots are highly trained to handle situations like this, and the flight has since landed safely in Mildura.
'We appreciate this would have been an unsettling experience for customers and thank them for their understanding.'
A Qantas flight from Mildura to Melbourne had to make a priority landing when it faced technical issues shortly after take off
Qantas flight QF2079 from Mildura to Melbourne took off at about 10:40am on Tuesday when pilots were forced into a series of circuits before making the priority landing before 12pm
Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria and Fire Rescue Victoria crews were on the ground at the airport as part of standard procedures for priority landings.
It is understood the Q400 aircraft taxied to the airport gate under its own power and passengers disembarked.
FlightRadar showed the aircraft made a series of circuits above the airport before landing around 12pm.
'Police along with other emergency services were called to an airport in Mildura following reports of an aircraft incident just after 11am, where it appears there was an issue with the aircraft,' Police said.
'The plane landed safely, the pilot and passengers weren't injured.'
In cases where only one hydraulic system fails, the impact on the aircraft is usually minimal, and the plane can continue to fly and even auto-land without significant issues.
However, when two hydraulic systems fail – which is a rare occurrence – the aircraft can still be flown manually but without autopilot and with reduced functionality.
Two hydraulic system failures generally lead to a longer landing distance, as some components including spoilers, normal braking and flaps might not be operational.
Qantas engineers are set to inspect the aircraft before it is cleared to return to service.
The airline was also arranging alternative flights to Melbourne for customers.
